Crafts | Silver Charmer Jewelry

First Friday is Back to School at Main Gallery 404!

06 Sep 2013 Leave a comment

by GJD in Fun stuff!, News Tags: Academic term, Back to School, beach glass, bookmarks, color, Crafts, Fall, Halloween, Holidays, Jewelry, lamp work beads, scary, Shopping, Silver, summer, Wire, Wire wrap

Today is the First Friday of September, so all the galleries and shoppes are open in Downtown Bloomington, IL from 5 – 8 PM.

My work is at the Main Gallery 404 located at 404 North Main Street, Bloomington, IL.

The theme is “Back to School” and many artists are sharing art bookmarks. I couldn’t resist using my cats and bats and scary ideas for an early Halloween theme.

Rings are the thing this month as I’ve added some “bullet” lampworked glass/wire-wrapped rings, and beach glass pendants with tinkling drops. A splash of last minute color to remember summer as we head into fall.

Hope you’ll join us tonight if you’re in the area!

First Event of 2013

04 Jan 2013 2 Comments

by GJD in News Tags: Arts, Bloomington, Bloomington Illinois, cast, cats, Crafts, Glass, Jewelry, mold, Pacific Island, paw prints, Silver

Wow, my first event for 2013 is tonight, January 4, at Main Gallery 404 in Downtown Bloomington, IL from 5 ~ 8 PM!

While the previous owners, Joanne Goetzinger and Martha Burk, will be dearly missed for their groundbreaking work, it’s an exciting new opportunity for Lisa Lofgren, the new owner, who is full of vision and enthusiasm.

Along with Jamie Morse, glass artist, and Jeffrey Kohl, who specializes in watercolors and acrylics with a Pacific Island influence, I’m one of three featured artists. I’ll be demonstrating fine silver casting from 6 ~ 7 PM.

Janthina, Janthina

Casting with fine silver is one of the most magical processes there is and compared to traditional silversmithing, much less labor intensive.

The photo below is what I’ll be wearing tonight; the paw print of my recently departed kitty, Blue Blue. I’ve been holding my breath, afraid for the last couple of months to make the cast from the vet’s mold in case it didn’t turn out as I envisioned; but… I’m thrilled with the results. Hope to see you tonight!

=^.^=

That’s my boy.

All dressed up… =^.^=

Last Chance Jewelry Bash In December

17 Dec 2012 2 Comments

by GJD in Fun stuff!, News Tags: Arts, beads, Bloomington Illinois, Crafts, holiday, Jan Brandt Gallery, Jewellery, Jewelry, Ricky Lee Jones, Silver, studio, unique, woman cave

For some reason, when I was trying to think of a catchy title for this post, all I could think of was…

Ricky Lee Jones singing “Last Chance Texico” which is a great song for a day like today.

It’s gloomy, drizzly, and chance to sip a hot cup of tea and make jewelry in my studio.

(Here’s the link if you’d like to listen too.)

Or woman cave as the refinance guy called my studio last week.

He said he’d never seen a woman cave before, but my studio qualified!

I think it was the refrigerator that cinched it.

Except for the beer opener, I try to keep it covered up…

Serendipity struck on Saturday when I wandered into The Garlic Press and started talking with artist Jan Brandt.

She opened a new gallery in June 2012, Jan Brandt Gallery, at 1106 E Bell Street Bloomington, IL 61701.

As we conversed, she noticed the jewelry I was wearing.

(Thank you my dear husband for always telling me to wear something I made, even though I do wear other artists’ work that I love…)

One thing led to another and Jan very generously asked if I would join her “Wine and Shopping” event on

Thursday (Yes, THIS Thursday!): December 20, from 5 ~ 8 PM.

(I was going to go anyway, just for fun, but… now I’ll be offering some jewels and have fun too.)

Like a little elf, I’m still working on new pieces.

Pardon my messy bench.

Lots and lots of earrings and more.

Attention desperate gift-givers! (You know who you are!) Please stop by.

Holiday bags mean already wrapped.

And, if you’re not that confident the special someone in your life will come through, select something for yourself.

Jan has a beautiful space and it’s filled with lots of unique artwork, all ready to go home with someone.

Hope to see you Thursday night for some holiday cheer!

A Little Fun…

04 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by GJD in Fun stuff! Tags: Arts, Bead, Crafts, friends, Jewelry, laughter, Supplies, therapy

The past few weeks have been all about deadlines and news. And, yes, there will be more announcements to follow!

This little project has a deadline, too, but it’s a fun one!

I’m a member of a not-so-secret group of fellow jewelry artists who enter “Bead Therapy” every week for a couple of hours to exchange ideas, laugh, vent… you know, another version of the ever-so-popular book club.

One member gave us a challenge along with exact components for everyone to create a unique piece and share with the group this week. I confess, with all my responsibilities recently, first I had to find my pack to start working on it.

Possibly not my chosen colors…

The rules are simple. We have to use some of all the different beads (I believe we can exclude up to 3 types.) and we can add whatever we want. Jewelry or art; our choice.

Once I got my mind wrapped around the colors, I’m loving the process. I’m only doing this for fun, so… the sky’s the limit, right? The only person who’s seen my progress thinks I’m a little warped, but then… he knew that when he married me.

The big reveal happens in two more days. Stay tuned!

Next Up ~ Exhibition News ~ Merlot and A Masterpiece

04 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by GJD in News, Uncategorized Tags: Crafts, Dichroic glass, exhibition, fine silver, holiday, Jewelry, Merlot, Mosaics, pendants, Shopping, Wine

I’m honored to be participating in the first Art Circle Member Show at Merlot and a Masterpiece, 412 N. Main Street, Bloomington, IL.

It’s in the paper, so it’s official!

The show begins with an opening on Friday, 12-7-12, from 5 ~ 8 p.m. and runs through the month of December.

And, yes… there will be refreshments this Friday. Yaay!

Two of my pieces are being shown. Here they are:

I See An Angel.

Fine silver with dichroic glass.

Blue Sky Sun.

Fine silver with micro-mosaics.

Vintage Crystal Ornaments

08 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by GJD in News Tags: Bead, chandelier, chimes, Christmas, Crafts, Crystal, Decorations, drops, Jewelry, musical, Shopping, Supplies, vintage

Spent a day making crystal ornaments and listening to every Christmas CD we have! Available now at The Bead Parlor in Bloomington, IL!

Lots of vintage crystal: chandelier drops, crystal beads and bells, one-of-a-kind beads, even musical chimes! Price range: $12 – $15.

Crystals sparkling in the sun!

Trying to get "artsy" with my camera angle!

All lined up!

Waiting for you at The Bead Parlor!

Two New Guys

18 May 2011 Leave a comment

by GJD in News Tags: Arts, Bead, cats, Crafts, fine silver, Jewelry, Milwaukee, porcelain, Shopping, United States

These are two of my new guys.

Last year at the Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee I found an artist specializing in porcelain components (give me a minute and I’ll add the proper name information when I locate it). Suffice it to say, I was pleasantly surprised when I found these treasures and decided to somehow encase them in fine silver. A few more should join their company in the very near future.

I have a feeling June is going to all about the cats.

=^.^=

Two new guys...

Gather at the Gallery ~ a “Celebration”

13 Dec 2010 Leave a comment

by GJD in Uncategorized Tags: Arts, Christmas, Crafts, discussion, Glass, Jewelry, salon event, Shopping

On Wednesday, December 15, 2010 from 6 – 8 PM, I’ve been invited, along with glass artist, Jason Mack, to display and talk about our art.

(There will also be selected items available for purchase.)

I’m delighted and honored to have been asked to be a part of this event.

Eaton Gallery, run by Herb and Pam Eaton, and Main Gallery 404, run by Martha Burke and Joann Goetzinger, have joined together to bring a salon style event to downtown Bloomington every third Wednesday of the month, “a gathering of stimulating people to amuse, refine one’s taste in art and increase one’s knowledge through presentation and conversation.”

In other words, a group of people having fun talking about different types of art which can include paintings, photography, sculpture, music, performance, or written work.

This month Jason and I will be adding glass and jewelry to the mix. As visiting artists we will each give a short presentation and commentary which will hopefully lead to some questions and a group discussion.

The event runs from 6-8 PM on Wednesday, December 15, 2010, and is free to the public. Light refreshments and coffee are also provided.

The address for Eaton Gallery is 411 N. Center Street, Bloomington, Illinois.

This month’s theme is Celebration, “Art created, commissioned, given, or displayed to celebrate important happenings and events.”

I’m really looking forward to it and hope to see familiar faces and meet some new ones too!

Grape Soiree 2010

30 Sep 2010 2 Comments

by GJD in News Tags: Crafts, Easter Seals, Grape Soiree, Handcrafted, Jewelry, Personalized, Precious Metals, Shopping, Silver, Swarovski

Created specifically for Easter Seals’ Grape Soiree 2010:

“Let Me Shade You”

"Let Me Shade You"

23 g. of fine silver (99% pure) in three layers,

embedded with amethyst, peridot, & emerald,

accentuated with watermelon tourmaline & pearl;

double-stranded on sterling silver (24″),

highlighted with rainbow patina

& finished with Swarovski crystal.

Silver Charmer Jewelry